HMRC is bringing forward Child Benefit payments in Scotland for the August bank holiday, so families expecting money on Monday 3 August will receive it earlier instead. The adjustment follows the Scottish bank holiday on the first Monday of the month, and Social Security Scotland has confirmed that payments due on a bank holiday are usually made ahead of time.
Why payments are changing
Child Benefit is normally paid every four weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. However, when a payment date falls on a bank holiday, HMRC changes the schedule to ensure families are not left waiting. In Scotland, the bank holiday on Monday 3 August means anyone due a payment that day will be paid on the previous working day, which is Friday 31 July.
Households expecting a payment on Tuesday 4 August may also see a shift, although HMRC advises checking directly with your bank for the exact date. The department says payments can take "up to three working days to clear, and bank holidays during this period may cause a delay."
How much is Child Benefit worth?
Child Benefit is an allowance designed to help with the cost of raising children, and the rates have been set nationally. Currently, it is worth £27.05 a week for the first child and £17.90 a week for each subsequent child. That means a household with two children could receive around £180 a month in total, depending on their payment cycle.
For families in Scotland, the early payment could be a welcome boost at the start of August. The money is often used for back-to-school costs, uniforms, or childcare expenses during the summer holidays.
Thousands missing out on Child Benefit
More than 6.8 million parents received Child Benefit in the year to August 2025, according to HMRC data. However, only 69% of eligible families claimed the support before their baby's first birthday. This means thousands of households could be missing out on money they are entitled to receive.
Parents who have a new baby and have not yet claimed are urged to apply as soon as possible. Child Benefit claims can be backdated for up to three months, so even late applicants may still receive some of the payments they have missed. The process is straightforward and can be done online through the HMRC website.
What HMRC says about bank holidays
HMRC provides clear guidance on how bank holidays affect Child Benefit payments. The official website states: "Child Benefit is usually paid every 4 weeks on a Monday or Tuesday. There are different payment dates if it’s due on a bank holiday."
It adds: "Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you. Check with your bank for the date you’ll get your payment."
Families in Scotland can also contact Social Security Scotland for local advice, though Child Benefit itself is administered by HMRC. The early payment arrangement applies specifically to the August bank holiday and does not affect other monthly payments unless they coincide with a public holiday.
For those who are unsure about their next payment date, HMRC suggests counting four weeks forward from the last payment, but warns against doing so if the previous payment was altered due to a bank holiday. The payment dates for August will be adjusted accordingly, and most families should see the money arrive in their bank account before the usual day.
